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Friday, November 15, 2013

NaBloPoMo Day 13 - Cool Chick with a Cool Job

Today’s
Cool Chick with a Cool Job is the gorgeous Jenny Maddern.I’ve known Jenny since I was a sophomore in
college and she was my sorority president.I’ve watched her over the years move, make big changes, go through
life-changing ordeals, and come out of it all a strong and determined woman who is
now chasing her dreams as a Stylist and Image Consultant.Recently, I interviewed her about her new,
cool career (that I’m totally envious of…need to start an East Coast branch of
your business, Jenny?!)

V:What is your education/employment background?

J:I’ve been
a teacher most of my “adult” life. I waited A TON of tables before that.I hustled my way through school so I could
start working. I‘ve got a degree in English (which I buck conventions of
whenever possible) and a Master’s Degree in Education.My newest, and dare I say proudest ,
accomplishment is completing training as an Image Consultant (and soon to be
Bridal Consultant!!!) Jennifer Maddern, CBS, I can’t wait!

J:I was already doing it, I just didn’t know it
was a career! I have always loved helping my friends and family look and feel
their best. In a rare moment of clarity, I realized I could have a career out
of something I love.

V:What made you decide to finally go for it and
start your own business?

J:Ooh. This one is sort of a downer, but it has
a happy ending. I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in 2011. During my
treatment, I missed too much work and lost my job. When it was time to finally
go back to work and start applying for jobs again…I panicked. I felt I was
being untrue to my simplest needs and myself. There is something called
Post-Traumatic-Growth…it’s incredible. PTG happened to me, it gave me the
freedom to give the bird to my “shoulds” and embrace my “needs”.

V:What is your favorite part of your job?

J:When my clients realize they can have control
over their wardrobes, a light comes on in their eyes! It’s so amazing giving
people the tools to be a little happier. Oh and the shopping, obvi right? I get
to shop vicariously through each client.

V:What’s the hardest part of your job?

J:The hardest part right now is balancing
home life and work life. I’m blessed to be home with my two-year-old son
Max…I’m also “blessed” to be home with my two-year old…very two-year-old Max.

V:What does a regular day for you look like?

J:(I pretended this day didn’t have any
interruptions and I was able to accomplish everything I sought out to do, in
reality this would be done over 3 or 4 days’ time)…I might spend the morning
interviewing a client and analyzing her/his “Style Recipe”, I do some homework
, make them a personalized Pinterest page with clothes that I believe would
suit their needs, pack up my gear (rolling clothes rack, full length mirror,
tubs) and head to the client’s house, go through the closet editing process (which
takes about 4 hours) determine which items are needed to “fill in the gaps” of
their wardrobe, go “pre-shop” a designated store for client, client arrives and
heads straight for dressing room, client falls in love with the clothes I have
chosen and chooses his/her favorites, client and I drink coffee and hug because
we are so happy, we head back to client’s house and I incorporate new clothes
into existing wardrobe, I “shop the closet “ and create 10 – 20 complete outfits
for client to wear, I take pictures of these outfits and catalog them for
client use and reference. I sleep hard.

V:What advice do you have for someone who wants
to get into your field?

J:Check out the AICI website first! It has all
the legit info you need to know, research Image Consultants in your area and
see what it looks like for them, go to http://mackenzieimage.com
and check out their training options. Trust me, this is the place. Don’t let
anything stop you. If you are unhappy where you are, make the changes. I’m not
saying it’s going to be easy, I’m saying it’s going to be worth it ---(I
thought Icoined this phrase, but I’m
pretty sure someone else said it first).